463 DRUGS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN 



aid the diffusion of substances through a mucous membrane (osmosis) 

 when the latter is moistened by bile; by others it is attributed to the 

 presence of free acids in the oil which would tend to saponify and emul- 

 sify the drug. The medicinal superiority of cod liver oil has led many 

 writers to classify it as an alterative, and special properties have been 

 referred to the minute traces of iodine, phosphorus, and bromine in the 

 oil. These agents exist in too infinitesimal an amount to exert much thera- 

 peutic action. 



It is probable that no one constituent, or group of constituents, yet 

 separated from the oil truly represent its medicinal effect. Cod liver oil 

 is inferior to other oils in one respect, however, and this consists in its 

 liability to cause nausea, indigestion, diarrhea and vomiting, in large 

 doses and in some patients. 



Administration. — Cod liver oil may be given pure, or if this does not 

 agree, it may be exhibited in various ways: 1, with an equal quantity of 

 lime water and a little syrup; 2, with ether {n\_x), small animals; 3i to 

 large animals ; or with whisky ; 3, shaken with white of an egg, or mucil- 

 age of tragacanth, and a few drops of oil of peppermint; 4, to dogs, in 

 one of the proprietary emulsions, or with malt extract. The oil should 

 be given after feeding and administration begun with the smaller doses 

 as recommended above. 



Uses. — Cod liver oil is indicated generally in conditions of malnutri- 

 tion occurring primarily ; in the course of chronic diseases ; or following 

 acute diseases. It is especially indicated in diseases of the respiratory 

 tract, when it improves the nutrition of the mucous membranes, as well 

 as the general nutrition. Thus cod liver oil is one of the best remedies 

 in tardy convalescence from canine asthma and distemper; from influ- 

 enza, bronchitis, pneumonia and strangles in horses; also in "heaves,' 

 emphysema, or broken wind in horses. Carron oil is cheaper and very 

 efficient in the latter disorder, given on the food. 



Cod liver oil is valuable in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, 

 chronic eczema, and chorea of dogs; and in rickets, anemia, weakness, 

 and emaciation in all young animals. It often proves curative in various 

 forms of muscular and chronic articular rheumatism, and facilitates the 

 absorption of chronically enlarged glands. The use of cod liver oil is 

 contra-indicated in hot weather, and in animals suffering from indigestion 

 or acute diarrhea. It is often beneficial, however, in chronic diarrhea. 



Linseed oil, oil cake, and cottonseed meal may often be conveniently 

 and properly substituted for cod liver oil, in the case of the large 

 patients; while morrhuol (gr.iiii=l teaspoonful cod liver oil?) given in 

 pills, or lipapin (oleic acid, 6; olive oil, 100) may be exhibited in dram 

 doses to dogs when cod liver oil does not agree. 



IcHTHYOLUM. Ichthyol. (Non-official.) 



Synonym. — Ammonium ichthyol sulphonate, E. ; housenblase, G. ; colle de 

 poison, Fr. 



Derivation. — A bituminous quartz occurring in the Tyrol Mountains, contain- 

 ing the fossil remains of fish, is distilled with strong sulphuric acid, and sulphur- 

 ous acids are removed from the distillate by sodium chloride, while sulphonic acid 

 separates out. The latter is usually saturated with ammonia, forming ichthyol; 



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